Page 44 of Rescuing Rosie
‘Right, Rosie,’ said Ashley, ‘let’s get you into the van.’ This time it was Ashley who scooped her up.
Rosie looked back to the stream to wave to Ant, but he was already crossing the stepping stones, his back to her, Wainwright by his side.
Ashley lifted her gently into the van, which was parked close by, and Dale sat down beside her, his arm around her shoulder. She was exhausted, and didn’t shrug it off.
Chapter Eighteen
Back at Grasmere Heights, Ashley carried Rosie into the lounge-library. It was empty, apart from a black cat sitting on one of the armchairs. He deposited Rosie on a sofa and fetched a footstool and cushion.
‘Now, what can I get you, sweetheart?’ he asked. ‘A hot drink? A sandwich? Soup! How about soup?’
‘I don’t want anything, thanks,’ she said, ‘except a hot bath. But how will I get upstairs?’
‘There’s a lift,’ said Ashley.
‘I’ll take you up,’ said Dale. He grinned. ‘And run you a bath. You’ll need help.’
‘Chrissakes, Dale,’ said Ashley, not looking remotely amused.
‘Is Madison around? Or Kayleigh?’ said Rosie. ‘Just to help me in.’
‘You got an ice pack, Ash?’ asked Dale.
‘Yes. I’ll bring it, and I’ll see about the soup. And I’ll find out if Madison’s available. Is chicken and vegetable okay, Rosie?’
‘I don’t really want soup.’
‘You need soup.’ Off he went.
Dale sat down beside her and took her hand; she pulled it free.
‘Look, Dale,’ she said. ‘I’ve had a pretty scary time, my ankle’s hurting, and I’m extremely tired. But I wouldn’t have welcomed whatever it is you think you want from me, anyway.’
‘You were properly up for it last night,’ he said, a little sulkily.
‘I wasdrunklast night. And I was vulnerable, and you took advantage of that. But most importantly, I didn’t know you’d … you know. With Madison. And then you massively disrespected her, to Jono, and me, and anyone else who might have heard, before moving on immediately to me. That’s not nice behaviour.’
At least he blushed. ‘Sorry.’ He blew out a breath. ‘Look – you live down south,’ he said, ‘so I get you think this is a non-starter. But … I like you, Rosie. You’re cool. And you’re not going to be leaving any time soon, right? So can I see you? I could maybe show you some more of the Lakes? By car, obviously.’
She wondered why he seemed so keen. Perhaps they were short on girls around here. The ones he hadn’t burned through already, anyway.
Ashley returned with a breakfast tray on which sat a bowl of soup and a plate with a hunk of bread. There was also an ice pack and a tea towel. He put the tray down on a coffee table.
‘I’ll do that,’ said Dale. He perched on the edge of the footstool and carefully removed the sock from Rosie’s left foot. His touch was as gentle as Ant’s, but she wanted the hand to be Ant’s.
Dale undid the bandage, saying a quiet ‘ouch’ as the puffy ankle was revealed.
Ashley watched, peering at her foot.
‘No worries, Beautiful,’ said Dale. ‘I’ve seen a lot worse. It should improve in a day or two – call the doc if it doesn’t.’ He folded the tea towel and laid it across her ankle, then rested the cold pack on top. ‘Twenty minutes of this, then we’ll put a compression bandage on after your bath. I’ll go get one from the shop.’
Rosie smiled at Dale. ‘Thank you.’ She had to admit, he too made an appealing rescuer.
‘We have those bandages here,’ said Ashley.
‘Cool,’ said Dale. He picked up the tray and placed it across her lap. ‘Now eat.’
The smell of the warm bread tickled Rosie’s nose, and she realised she was ravenous. Ashley sat in a nearby armchair, and the black cat jumped onto his lap.
